Tuesday 6 September 2016

Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho - Homeless Man's Dreams Come True


Buenas Dias!

Yesterday I came across this tweet & felt immediately compelled to read the post attached. 


What a touching & inspirational story! I couldn't wait to share it with y'all.
This is a MUST Read for those working towards their dreams.


This #TravelTuesday I want to you journey with me to São Paulo, Brazil.

Born 1 August 1938, Raimundo worked as a gardener & bookseller. However, in the late 1970s, early 1980s, nearly at the end of the military dictatorship of Brazil, he became homeless.



Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho lived in anonymity for 35 long years, just one more faceless member of the thousands of people that make up Brazil's homeless population. Every day, he gathered whatever paper he could and honed his skills as a poet and philosopher. He sat in the same spot every day, his "island" as he called it, and every day people walked by without giving him a second thought. To the world, he was just one more dirty old homeless man occupying the streets.


It only takes One. One person. One encounter. One conversation.

Raimundo's wildest dreams was that maybe his words would be remembered one day, maybe they might be published, but he knew deep down that they would probably never be read by anyone at all. Then, one day, in the spring of 2011, something happened that changed his life forever.




A young woman named Shalla Monteiro took notice of him and befriended the old man. She would stop by every day to chit chat with him, and one day Raimundo gave her one of his poems. She decided to make him a Facebook page so his poems and stories could be shared with others. What happened next is a miracle. Watch the video below to learn more.










The Conditioned or #Incondicional  tells the amazing story & friendship of Shalla & Raimundo. It's now available on Amazon for purchase (Portuguese Edition)
You can also read the First Chapter Here, English Translated.








The power of connection. It could be as simple as pausing to chat with that person on the other side of the room. Or sending an encouraging text to a family member. Or introducing a friend to a fellow colleague.

We never know the ripple effect as we create points of association between ourselves and others. The world isn’t as separate as we imagine it to be.

So why not take the time to hear each other’s stories? And even champion each other’s dreams? Who knows–the doors we unlock for others may just swing wide open to usher us into our own destinies.

"They say that when the disciple is ready, he is the master."


Thanks Oprah Winfrey for posting our story at The Huffington Post!!

Man Homeless For 35 Years Reunites With His Family, Thanks To A Stranger’s Kindness













No longer homeless, Raimundo was able to take his poetry to the next level, with Monteiro’s help: His book of poetry, #Inconditional, was published in December of 2015. 









One of Sobrinho’s own pieces of poetry beautifully sums up the power of his story.


© Enricoh Alfonzo ~ Alfonzo Words
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~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

29 comments:

  1. How inspirational!! It's amazing reading all these posts, there's so much you can take from each one. Well done Alfonzowords! N keep it coming :D

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  2. This post is so inspiring! I can't belive this amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  3. That is so amazing. It really does take just one person. You never know what's going on in their lives unless you take notice and action.

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  4. This is so heart touching. It reminds me that homeless people deserve my attention

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  5. So beautiful and touching, that girl has such a big heart!!

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  6. This was really an emotional post. I really hope the book gets published in English. I definitely want to buy that book. Thanks for sharing yet another great post for humanity. 😭😭😭

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  7. This is touching. Wish all people are like this. Willing to help for the people needs. Very inspiring. Thank u.

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  8. Oh wow! What an inspiring and beautiful story. It is so true that one person with one simple act of kindness can change so much :)

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  9. Oh wow, from both sides it's a beautiful story. I love that she looked at him as a person, not just another homeless face. This is amazing.

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  10. This is a beautiful story. Such a great act of kindness.

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  11. God Bless those people who would extend their hands to people they don't know. A beautiful and inspiring story for everyone to read.

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  12. I love to read great inspiring stories like this one. It's good to know we still have good people in this crazy world.

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  13. What an inspirational story. If only more people were like this.

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  14. I love that so much good has come from their friendship. This is a wonderful story.

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  15. Omg just love this!!!! Such an inspirational
    Story!!!!!

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  16. This is a beautiful and inspirational story. Just goes to show that you never know how you may impact someone's life- or vice versa.

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  17. This has to be one of the most inspiring posts I've read all day. It would be nice to help improve someone's life.

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  18. What a beautiful and inspiring story. I love reading happy stories they seem so rare these days.

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  19. this is amazing! love the story and may i say that video is well done! kudos to the girl for changing this man's life!

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  20. This is a touching story and a good inspiration.

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  21. What an inspiring story, you made me inspired

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  22. What a beautiful story.. I am so touched by people like this..

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  23. This post is so inspiring! I can't belive this amazing story. Love it!

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  24. What a beautiful story! It takes one person to stop and care to make an impact in someone's life.

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  25. What a touching story. I love just how one action can change everything.

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  26. I love this story of hope and care in the human heart. Thank you for sharing!

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  27. I cry this video, how inspired me I really love he's story Thank you so much

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  28. This went straight to my heart. The way a life can change right before your eyes. The #1 thing is always keep you head together ups and downs will come and go, some greater and worse than others. Learn to know that we are all alone and the people around you and the things you have is a temporary gift.

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  29. merci beaucoup............. mil gracias................ danke danke danke......... muito obrigado 1:05 13:05 wh...station 1 5/11/22 o 8th of 5th ..... 214 '82 thank you very'very very'much for sharing and caring GREAT SITE

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